Venezuela won the 2026 World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The win marked Venezuela's first WBC championship.[1][2]
Prior to the final, Venezuela advanced by defeating Italy in the semifinals on March 16.[3] The United States had previously beaten the Dominican Republic in the other semifinal. Only the United States (2017), Japan (2006, 2009, 2023) and the Dominican Republic (2013) had won the tournament previously.[1][4]
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four batters, including United States captain Aaron Judge.[2][5] Rodriguez, who posted a 5.02 ERA over the 2024 and 2025 seasons with Arizona, threw 57 pitches before being relieved.[5][6]
Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to make it 2-0.[2][7]
The United States tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run home run by Bryce Harper, who represented the Phillies in the National League.[2][8] Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth when Eugenio Suárez hit an RBI double scoring pinch-runner Javier Sanoja, who had walked and stolen second.[2]
Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson popped out.[2] The game was played at loanDepot Park, host of the championship round from March 15-18, 2026.[1][4]
| Inning | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (Top) | Maikel Garcia sacrifice fly | VEN 1-0 USA |
| 5th (Top) | Wilyer Abreu solo HR | VEN 2-0 USA |
| 8th (Bottom) | Bryce Harper 2-run HR | VEN 2-2 USA |
| 9th (Top) | Eugenio Suárez RBI double | VEN 3-2 USA |
Sources
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com, "2026 World Baseball Classic Championship: Venezuela 3, United States 2 - Final Box Score", March 17, 2026, https://www.mlb.com/gameday/venusaus/2026/03/17/777777/final/boxscore
- WBSC.org, "2026 WBC Semifinals Match Report: Venezuela vs Italy", March 16, 2026, https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/2026-wbc-semifinal-venezuela-italy
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic 2026 dates and venues announced", September 20, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-venues-announced
- Arizona Diamondbacks, "Eduardo Rodriguez Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566
- ESPN.com, "Eduardo Rodriguez 2024-2025 Stats", October 2024, https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/608566/eduardo-rodriguez
- Boston Red Sox, "Wilyer Abreu Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/redsox/player/wilyer-abreu-666742
- Philadelphia Phillies, "Bryce Harper Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/phillies/player/bryce-harper-547180